Carter Heywood "grateful" for professional contract at Swansea City

Carter Heywood said he is "grateful" for the early opportunity to sign his first professional contract at Swansea City.

Heywood has been at the club since under-nine level, signing scholarship terms prior to the 2025-26 campaign. 

And he has now signed his first pro deal at the relatively early stage of entering the second year of his scholarship.  

The 17-year-old recently made his first senior appearances for the Swans as featured in all three pre-season friendlies out in Austria, and he was delighted after a landmark few weeks in his fledgling career.

"It's a really proud moment, I've worked so hard for this," said Heywood.

"It's something you dream of as a young boy, you just want to be a professional footballer, so to get this contract is amazing.

"Getting this contract a year early, while I'm still on a scholarship, shows that the club have trust in me and I'm so thankful for that.

"I joined at under-nine level, and I've worked my way up which is a special feeling.

"Coming from Pembrokeshire, your family have to sacrifice a lot to get you to training, I'm grateful for that. There were loads of times where they'd finish work early or I'd finish school early, around three or four times a week."

Carter became a regular figure in the under-21s' backline as a 16-year-old last season, and he featured in the Premier League Cup and Nathaniel MG Cup for the development side.

His performances have earned him numerous call-ups to represent Wales this year.

He played for the under-19s in March, and for the under-17s in October and November 2025, captaining the latter in their games against Slovenia and Portugal. 

"It has definitely been a breakthrough year for me, I feel like I've been consistent and getting good game time," said Carter.

"I feel I've had been rewarded for the last year as I've had a lot of opportunities to train with the first team under Vitor (Matos).

"Everyone was so welcoming and it's definitely helped my confidence as a player being in that environment."

Heywood was named Academy Player of the Season at this year’s annual Player Awards dinner, after a highly successful season competing for the under-18s and under-21s.  

And with a first-team pre-season under his belt, the centre-back is hoping to continue to be around the senior set-up.

"That was a surreal moment, being involved at a first-team awards, let alone winning Academy Player of the Season," he said.

"It topped off a successful season for me, and I'm thankful the coaches put me forward for the award.

"Looking forward, the hard work continues. I want to continue to be consistent, whether that's with the under-18s or under-21s, but also hopefully up with the first team."